The transformation of Use of Technology in Teaching English
Andri Matovani/Jakarta
Methodology and other supporting tools applied in teaching English is different from time to time. It transforms from generation to generation. In the old days, the teachers only used the marker or chalk. Modern school at that time may use labs (Say, English laboratory) to support the English Language Teaching. Today, it has changed. Many English Course nowadays, have already used multimedia by using computer, slide projector, layer, even touch screen to support the study.
Generation “Y” or those who were born in the year 90s have been familiar to advanced technology. In doing so it also applies to the teaching of English. Student nowadays are already familiar with Twitter, facebook, or other technology related tools/sites. It means that they have used technology in their daily activities. As shown by the report (Kompas.com, 11/08/2010), Indonesian ranking in using Twitter is on the top following Brazil, China, India, and US. Indonesian societies are more adaptive to the technology changes. Would it drive to the need of using technology for English Language Teaching?
Ten or five years ago, a few school or English Course use technology in teaching the students. For instance, when studying English, they only use labs to support their study. It used a set of headset, monitor and speaker limiting other student with another by the booth. At that time the teacher will play the cassette and student listened to it. Mostly there is less interaction at that time since they were still limited by the booth.
Five years ago the use of slide projector is only implemented on the seminar or discussion’s forum. The higher prices of the tools defined school or English institution to apply this. If we look at today, it has driven us to use technology not only in seminar or discussion but also in teaching English, let alone other subjects.
Though not significantly essential, but it is highly recommended to use technology in every class of teaching. The school or English institution have to catch up the train, otherwise they will leave behind. If we see on the bookstore, many English Singaporean books are displayed on the selves. It has penetrated the market here. A few follow Singapore methodology in teaching English. It is like undeniable.
Five years ago or so, we scarcely find any single material put online on the internet. But today, just one click, you can search hundred even thousand online material. For example, we can find the online Toefl test on the net. And then you will know your Toefl score or predictions of Toefl score. At last, Technology has changed impossibility into possibility.
Schools or English Institutions are encouraged to use technology in teaching especially English Language Teaching. They should invest some money to use the technology. Some international schools or modern English Institutions have equipped each classes with a set of technology based materials. They have put in the classroom multimedia like using computer with CD, slide projector, layer, touch screen, power point, etc.
The use of technology is inevitable. Old fashion or method should be reconsidered and refurbished for the betterment of Teaching. As generation”Y,” they need something new as well. They are generation of technology. To speed up the process of English Language Lesson, school and English Institution like or dislike has to deal with it.
The Teacher for the English Second Learners have to refurbish the way of teaching English. They have to quit the traditional way by writing a lot on the whiteboard and explain, explain and explain. As if only teacher are dominant in the class. Now it has to be driven to the interactive class supported by interactive multimedia.
Right now, some English institutions apply teaching English thru phone. So the student does not need to attend the class. Technology enables them to do that. Later on who knows students are able to have multimedia at home, so they don’t need to come to the class as well. Their face can be shown thru their computer screen. Let alone, the use of advanced gadgets enable us to strive for it. So then, students do not need to come to the class, just sit in front of their screen. So they can save time and money.
We can not ignore the possibilities of using technology in driving the English Language Teaching methodology. Teaching English should be driven from traditional way into technology based teaching. Schools or English institutions should equip themselves with the technology. Labs are now categorized left behind. It is ok then for ten years ago.
Schools or English Institutions need technology assessment in improving or delivering English lesson to the student. It will speed up the process of acquiring English language to the fastest ways for the second English language learner. Indonesia needs to catch up its educational level among with Asean countries like Singapore or Malaysia. Later on, there will be available Indonesian English Curriculum. ***
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